Rivers boss fights sex harassment cases

A Melbourne retail tycoon at the centre of a high-profile sexual harassment case is facing a further Federal Court action over allegations he acted inappropriately towards a second female employee.

A Melbourne retail tycoon at the centre of a high-profile sexual harassment case is facing a further Federal Court action over allegations he acted inappropriately towards a second female employee.

Philip Harry Goodman, the chairman and sole director of Rivers Australia, is the subject of civil action by Rachel Adamopolous, who worked for the national retail chain for 14 years before resigning in 2007.

In a statement of claim lodged at the Federal Court on November 25 last year, Ms Adamopolous's lawyers said Mr Goodman harassed her regularly, touching her buttocks on several occasions and making suggestive comments about her breasts.

Ms Adamopolous says that in 1999, Mr Goodman instructed her to wear a black cat-suit and appear as ''Pussy Galore'' in an advertising campaign for the discount retailer. She says she refused to wear the suit and alleges she was criticised by Mr Goodman, who repeatedly referred to her as ''Pussy'' after the incident.

The millionaire businessman is also alleged to have referred to Ms Adamopolous as ''Madam Lash'', ''the Boss'', ''the Queen'' or ''his girl''.

On several occasions from 2002 to 2007, Mr Goodman is alleged to have said he loved her and wished he had married her.

She says she suffered post- traumatic stress and depression as a result of the harassment and is pursuing Mr Goodman and Rivers Australia for damages through her lawyers, Clark Toop and Taylor. A directions hearing is set for August 2.

A spokesman for Mr Goodman denied the allegations and said they would be vigorously defended.

''The proceeding comes as a disappointment and a complete surprise because the complainant worked for Rivers for approximately 15 years without complaint,'' the spokesman said. ''She arranged employment with the company for members of her family while she was with us, and even after she resigned from the company.'' Mr Goodman is facing another sexual harassment case in the Federal Court, initiated in 2011 by a 31-year-old former executive, Sallyanne Robinson.

While a charge of indecent assault was withdrawn by the Office of Public Prosecutions last year, Mr Goodman is accused of making unwelcome sexual advances to Ms Robinson between September 2009 and July 2010.

Mr Goodman's lawyers, Norton Rose Australia, have denied the claims and allege Ms Robinson has a history of bipolar behaviour and alcohol abuse.

In 2011, Ms Robinson was awarded a confidential settlement by WorkCover after her lawyers claimed she had suffered post-traumatic stress as a result of the alleged sexual harassment. She was compensated for lost income after resigning in July 2010.